Williams Route 66 race is a milestone for single mom’s transformation

About a year ago, Amy, a Williams employee, realized she had lost her balance. As an engineering manager and single mom of two teenage boys, she was tired all the time, 50 pounds overweight and less focused than she needed to be at work and home.

“I found myself sitting all the time,” she said. Her life revolved around sitting on the bleachers for her sons’ games, in the airport on business trips or in front of a computer monitor.

Fast forward a year and what a difference: Amy is a half-marathon athlete consistently finishing in the top 10 percent of her race category. She has more energy, feels more productive at work and home, and even sleeps better at night. What changed?

“I made myself a priority, which I hadn’t done in years,” she said. “And I discovered a competitive drive and athletic spirit I didn’t know I had. Everyone who knows me has seen a dramatic change in my physical and mental well-being.”

In February 2011, Amy decided to take some first small steps. She started eating better – no processed foods – and exercising. But Amy knew she needed help to make the change stick.

She tried out a few different types of exercises and realized she really enjoyed running. Her first race was the Williams Route 66 Quarter Marathon in October of 2011.

“I started crying during the race because I had come so far,” she said. “I was surrounded by so many healthy and happy people – and I realized I was finally one of them.”

After that race, she was hooked. The Williams Route 66 event this November will be her fifth half marathon in a year.

“Sometimes my kids say ‘Are you going running again.'” With two teenage boys…I tell them that it’s much better for them if I do,” Amy says. She gets her exercise in after her kids’ homework or early in the morning. “I have to find a way to squeeze it in – I’m so much better for it,” she says. Amy has been inspired by her running coaches at Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa, which also happens to be the exclusive running retail partner. She has worked closely with Fleet Feet since January, and it has played a significant role in inspiring her to keep working toward her goals.

“This has all been such a positive experience for me,” says Amy. “A day hardly goes by that someone doesn’t stop me to share their story because of mine.”